During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
- Acts 11:27-30

The church is more than a Sunday morning gathering for music, sermonizing, and donuts.

In fact, “church” is just a name we use for the community who are gathered together in Christ. The church exists globally (connecting us to people around the world) and historically (connecting us with people who have gone before us and who will come after us). The church may have particular local expressions (like Chatham Community Church) but it’s bigger than us.

It’s bigger than us.

The church in Antioch got that. When they heard about a severe famine that had been prophesied over the entire Roman world, their first thought wasn’t to store up food for themselves. They would be affected by the famine. Their first thought was to provide help for their brothers and sisters living in Judea.

How could they do this? They saw themselves as intimately connected with the church in Judea, as brothers and sisters, as family. When one part of the family struggles, the rest of the family helps out as they can. This is what healthy families do.

Each and every one of us who have decided to follow Jesus and have been included in Christ have also been included in his global, historical, universal church.

We have brothers and sisters who are experiencing violent persecution, so we pray for them. We have brothers and sisters who are struggling to find food to eat, so we volunteer at the food pantry. We have brothers and sisters who are struggling with depression or addictions, so we encourage them to get help and support them as they take steps toward health.

When one member of the family struggles, we help as we can. When one member of the family succeeds, we celebrate wholeheartedly. As Jesus’ disciples, our identifying mark will be how we love each other (see John 13:35).

Take some time today to ask the Lord to show you how you can give help to a brother or sister who’s struggling. Ask Jesus also if there’s a brother or sister who you can encourage by celebrating their success. Make your best effort to act on whatever God shows you during your time of prayer.